On Saturday, September 6th, Aspen Farms Horse Trials hosted the first Bareback Puissance for eventers in Area VII as part of the evening entertainment. Eleven pairs entered the competition sans saddles to jump the orange Natural Migrations vertical starting at 3’3″ and moving up in height each round. As per the twisted rules laid out by organizer Laramie Maxwell, riders who had a rail or refusal got an optional second attempt if they took their shirts off.

In the end, four pairs attempted 4’9″ but only Patrick Billes and the Intermediate-level eventer Rabenschwarz successfully cleared for the win. For their efforts they took home $700 and the admiration of the enthusiastic crowd.

An impressive number of spectators turned out for the evening spectacle, and it didn’t disappoint. The horses ranged from pony-crosses to Quarter Horses to Warmbloods to Thoroughbreds and the eventers demonstrated grit, stickability, and a sense of humor.

Last-minute entrants Copper Field and Annabelle Geiser were crowd favorites as they bucked their way up to the approach, eventually clearing 4’6″. Photo by Chesna Klimek.